Lloyd introduced his family and pulled a picture of his mother from his pocket. She died of cancer recently.

“This is a very surreal moment,” Lloyd told the board and the large audience at the meeting. “I accept this responsibility and promise I will always listen, collaborate and not let you down. Thank you.”

He becomes the district’s 25th superintendent, following Todd F. Hoadley, who will leave in July to head the Dublin, Ohio schools.

Lloyd was with the district previously, from 1995 to 1998, as a school psychologist. He went to Westlake schools in 1998 to become pupil services director. He returned to Olmsted Falls in 2007 to become the district’s assistant superintendent, adding the duty of being the Early Childhood Center’s principal in 2010.

Hoadley met with Lloyd over a meal at Moosehead Saloon in Bay Village in July 2007 about his returning to Bulldog country. He said he did not know Lloyd at that time.

“I am very fortunate I do now,” he said. “He was a true Bulldog from day one.”

The board decided not to conduct a search for superintendent, but looked inward, to Lloyd, for its next leader. School boards hire superintendents and treasurers.

View full sizeJames L. Lloyd, Olmsted Falls assistant superintendent, poses with his wife, Rhonda; sons Mason, a sophomore and Tommy, a seventh-grader; and daughter Maggie, a fourth-grader. The family now lives in Avon, but plans to move into the Olmsted Falls school district. Joanne Berger DuMound/Sun News

Lloyd called the Olmsted Falls district a special place. He said he and others firmly believe the Olmsted Falls school district is a “Triple A school district — Academics, Arts and Athletics.”

“I want us to talk about that some more and get behind that,” he said. “I think something like a bumper sticker, or on a shirt, can be branded. If a student could design something, that would be cool.”

Lloyd has been married to his wife, Rhonda, for 20 years. They have three children who attend Avon schools: Mason, a sophomore; Tommy, a seventh-grader and Maggie, in grade 4. They plan to move into the district.

“I want them to reap the benefits of our incredible school system and community,” he said. “I’ve worked in Olmsted Falls for nine years and have developed an affection for the district. I love it here and am confident my family will, as well.”

He said when the board indicated it wanted him to be the next superintendent, he didn’t inquire about a residency requirement.

Lloyd’s current salary is $116,962. His salary as superintendent will be $132,500, with a five-year contract running from Aug. 1, 2013 through July 31, 2018.

He will receive a relocation reimbursement up to $12,000. The board prefers, but does not require, the superintendent to live in the district, which includes Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township and parts of North Olmsted, Berea and Columbia Township.